Toothpick-dispensing apparatus



Jan. 7, 1930. J. M. BIESTEK 1,742,184

TOOTHPICK DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27. 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 2 v E It: Jaz'azz/Y 2'03 Z671.

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IIIIIIIIIII II 4 MWWWWWM m Jan. 7, 1930. J. M. BIESTEK 1,742,184

' TOO'I'HPICK DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 il g Patented Jan. 7, 1930 PATENT OFFICE JULIAN M. BIESIEK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TOOTI-IPIGK-DISPENSIN G APPARATUS Application filed September 27, 1928.

This invention relates to a toothpick dispensing apparatus and has particular reference to an apparatus'wherein a large quantity of toothpicks may be placedland is provided with means for discharging outwardly of the apparatus a limited quantity of toothpicks as the machine is operated.

The. apparatus isarranged to discharge a limited quantityof toothpicks such as one at J. time through a discharge opening preferably in the side of the machine leaving the top of the machine available for the application of advertising matter or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a toothpick dispensing apparatus for discharging one pick at a time. p

Another object is to provide a toothpick dispensing apparatus arranged toreceive a large quantity 'oftoothpicks and discharge :he same ii predeterminedlimited quantities.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a toothpick dispensing apparatus havinga plurality of toothpick dispensing chambers all of which are separately operative from the others.

A still. further object of the invention is to provide a toothpick dispensing apparatus so arranged as to allow access to the interior of the apparatus without effecting any of the mechanism of the same.

A yetfurther objectof the invention is to provide a toothpick dispensing apparatus arranged to function for thepurposes intended and to display advertising matter or the like on the top of the apparatus.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide a toothpick dispensing apparatus which is economical to manufacture and efficient in use.

The above, other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings -and appended claims.

According to the invention the apparatus includes a casing having a chamber in which there is a conflazirtment for receiving a large quantity of toothpicks and auxiliary or sup-- plemental compartments for receiving a fewer number of toothpicks together with means for moving a limited number of toothpicks Serial No. 308,709.

from the first to the second compartment, and means for ejecting a limited quantity from the apparatus.

One form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and the views thereof are as follows: Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a com plete machine of the form chosen for illustration showing in dotted lines the receiving chute for the main chamber open.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the interior of the machine of Figure 1 with the side plates removed.

Figure 3 is a sectional view take III-J11 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section taken on line IVIV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section taken on line V-V of Figure 2.

n on line Figure 6 is a fragmental side elevational view of operative parts of the machine of the form illustrated.

Figure 7 is a section takenon line VII VII of Figure .2. i

The apparatus which I have chosen to illustrate my invention comprises a'casing of a sheet metal.

which compartments are provided with the same mechanism and which operate inde pendently of each other.

T h-e'two compartments shown have a longitudinally extending vertically disposed intermediate wall 5 which is fastened to the bottom 1 by projections 6 passing through suitably disposed openings in said bottom with the ends of the projections turned over as at 7.

It will be observed that the elevational view of the machine shows that the top 2 is inclined towards the front 3 which top is preferably imperforate and is provided with a frame 8 inwhich advertising matter or the like may be inserted.

The following description of the arrangement of the parts within a compartment will be confined to one compartment as the ar-' rangement of such parts in the several compartments no matter how many are included in a single apparatus.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings which shows the interior of the machine with the side plate 9 it will be observed that the several parts of the mechanism are carried by the intermediate wall 5 and by the bottom 1 of the apparatus.

A plate 11 is secured to the intermediate wall 5 by rivets 12 or by welding said plate is inclined as shown in Figure 1 towards the front of the machine and extends part way of the length of the apparatus.

The plate 11 extends from the intermediate wall 5 to and against the side plate 9 when .the same is in position.

A transverse partition 13 is riveted at 14 or welded to the intermediate wall 5 and is oblique to the vertical and extends downwardly from the top 2 of the apparatus towards .and stops short of the plate 11.

:vided between the floor 11 and the lower end of the partition 13. The partition 13 extends outwardly to rest against the side plate 9 when the same is in position.

The floor l1 and the partition 13 define at.

35 the right of said partition as observed in Figure 2 a chamber C which I term the main chamber for receiving a large quantity of toothpicks for dispensation by the apparatus in a manner hereinafter described.

. An inclined transverse partition 16 having an out turned foot 17 which is welded or otherwise secured to the bottom 1 of the apparatus extends from the intermediate wall 5 outwardly to and against the side plate 9 when the same is in position. This partition 16 is "inclined rearwardly as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings and forms the front wall of the second or auxiliary chamber D which is the chamber between said wall 16 and the front side of the partition 13.

The wall 16 extends above the bottom 11 towards the top 2 of the machine and terminates some distance below said top.

A second partition 18 having an out turned foot 19 is arranged parallel to the partition 16 and is spaced from said partition 16. The partition 18 extends to and terminates with the flat end of the floor 11.

The foot 19 of the partition 18 is riveted or welded to the bottom 1 of the apparatus.

7 A slide 20 is arrangedto reciprocate on the floor 11 and convey the toothpicks in the compartment C to the chamber D in limited quantities. The quantity of toothpicks delivered from the chamber C to the chamber D is governed by the position of the lower edge of the partition 13 forming a restricted opening between these two chambers.

The slide 20 has a bottom which rests on the floor 11 and two side members with open ends.

A pusher block 21 is disposed between the partitions 16 and 18 and arranged to slide upwards and downwards in said space defined by these partitions. The block 21 extends from the intermediate wall 5 to and against the outer side plate 9.

The upper end of the pusher block 21 has an inclined surface which is inclined towards the partition 16 and is arranged to cooperate with said partition as said pusher block is raised in a manner hereafter described to deliver a' limited number of toothpicks to the discharge chute. The inclination of the surface 22 may be made to receive any number of toothpicks from one up to such quantity as may be desirable to be discharged at one operation of the apparatus.

A discharge chute 23 shown in the drawings as being semi-tubular and inclined downwardly and forwardly is secured by rivets 24 or by welding to the partition 16. This chute extends to and registers with an aperture 25 in the side plate 9 so as to discharge toothpicks outwardly of said apparatus.

The upper edge of the partition 16 is horizontal so that said partition will cooperate at all times with the inclined surface 22 of the pusher block 21 as said block is being moved upwardly to discharge a toothpick or toothpicks carried thereby into the chute 23.

A plate 26 having a forwardly projecting outward portion 27 is arranged within the apparatus with its end portion 27 projecting through a slot 28 in the front wall 2 of the apparatus. The plate 26 has a pair of de pending ears 29 which are apertured and which register with apertures in posts 30 secured to the bottom 1 of the apparatus through which passes a pivot pin 31 so that the plate 26 may be rocked about this pivot 31 as the outer end thereof is depressed by one desiring a toothpick.

Figure 2 shows the normal position of the plate 26.

The pusher block 21 is provided on each of its sides with a recess into which recess extends a projection 33 on the plate 26. There are shown in the drawings two such projections 33 one on each side of the plate 26.

A bellcrank is connected at each side of the slide 20 by means of a pivotal connection such as a screw 34.

Each bellcrank has a long arm 35 and a short heavy arm 36 the latter serving as a counterweight to return the connected parts to normal position which is that shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The end of the arm 35 is slotted at 37 and a screw or bolt 38 passes through said slot into the pusher block 21. The parts are so arranged that the projection 33 of the plate 26 bears against the arm 35 of the bellcrank which end serves as a bearing for operation of the connected parts as the plate 26 is rocked the rear wall 4 of theapparatus. The outer end. of the hinged portion is curved at 51 so as toclose against the upper end of the top 2 and also furnish a pleasing appearance of the structure.

The closure 49 has at each side thereof side walls 52 so that when closure is opened into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 it will in effect serve as a chute for delivery of toothpicks to the chamber C and aid in filling said chamber with toothpicks.

The closure 49 is moved to the position shownin Figure 2 when a sufficient supply of toothpicks has been placed in the chamber C. e

The operation of the device is as follows. Normally the various parts are as shown in.

Figure 2 of the drawings. When it is desired to withdraw a toothpick or such limited numberof toothpicks as the machine is adjusted to. deliver the outer end 27 of the plate 26 is depressed thereby raising the inner end of said plate which moves upwardly the pusher block 21 and because of the connection of said pusherblock and the bellcrank the plate 20 is moved tothe right as viewed in Figure 2, that is underneath the supply of toothpicks in the chamber C. The pusher block 21 by the same operation is moved upwardly into dotted line position shownin Figure 2 and in full line position in Figure 6, carrying with it a toothpick or such toothpicks as are included be-.

tween the inclined surface 22 of said block and the wall 16 delivering said toothpicks into the chute 23 when said block has reached the uppermost position of movement.

A deflector plate 53 is attached at 54 to the partition 13 a slight distance behind the partition 16 at the upper end of the chute so that if the outer end 27 of the plate is depressed suddenly and the toothpicks were moved up suddenly so that under ordinary circumstances the same would fall back in the chamber D instead of being delivered into the chute 23 the same will strike the deflector plate 53 and because of the then uppermost position of the pusher block 21 will be delivered into the chute 23 fordischarge through the opening 25 in theside plate 9.

Every time the end 27 of the plate 26 is depressed the slide 20 moves through one cycle of movement that is from the position in full lines in Figure 2 to the position in full lines in Figure 6 and back to the full line position of Figure 2 when pressureon the end 27 of the plate 26 is released. Suchmove ment of the slide 20 results in atransfer of some of the toothpicks in the chamber C through the restricted opening 15 between the floor 11 of said chamber and the partition 13 into the chamber D so that at no time are there more toothpicks in chamber D than in chamber C unless it be when the supply in chamber C is exhausted or practically exhausted. 1

Such an arrangement makes it possible for a discharge of toothpicks by the pusher block 21 without danger of congestion in the chamber D and also without fear of discharg ing more than the predetermined quantity.

The counterweight 36 on the bellcrank connected to the slide 20 and the weight of the pusher block 21 serve to return the parts to the normal orfull line position shown in Figure 2 when pressure on the end27 of the lever 26 is released. The dotted lines in Figure 2 show the position of the several parts when the end 27 of the plate 26*has been depressed to the limit of its movement in as a spring 55 riveted at 56 to the closure 49 and cooperating with a pin 57 on the upper end of the top 2 of the apparatus.

Lhe side plates 9and 10 of the apparatus are readily removed and applied to the apparatus in any convenient manner. I have not shown any means for securing the side plates in position but it is to-be understood that any suitable means for such purpose may be employed.

Studs 58 are providedon the intermediate.

wall 5 to limit the upward movement of the plate 26 as the same is locked to operate the apparatus.

. Stops 59 attached to the intermediate wall 5 are provided to limit the movement of the weighted arm 36 of the bellcrank in clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 of the drawings. a

I have illustrated the invention" in connection with an apparatus having two compartments A and B. It is, of course, understood that an apparatus could be made with but a single compartmentand also one with i more than two compartments. I wish it understood that the operative element of the mechanism and the partition are secured to the intermediate wall 5 and the like and also to the bottom 1 of the apparatus leaving the side plate free so as to be readily removed for purposes of inspection and repairs. 1

Figure 6 of the drawings whichshows the pusher block 21 in its uppermost position. of travel also shows its relation with the chute 23 and the deflector plate 53 so as to direct the toothpicks 16 into the chute 23 instead of allowing the same to fallback into the auxiliary chamber D as it would when the end 27 of the plate 26 were suddenly depressed were it not for the deflector plate 53.

The top 2 of the apparatus is provided with a frame 8 so that advertising matter or similar matter may be placed therein for ready observation by anyone using the machine for the purpose of securing a toothpick from the same. I contemplate the finished machine will be of pleasing outline and appearance In and constructed as to be ornamental rather than detrimental.

The partition 16 is inclined rearwardly for the purpose of preventing an accumulation of toothpicks on the selector or pusher block 21.

The slide 20 is shaped, arranged and of such size for moving a limited quantity of toothpicks from chamber C to chamber D and also prevents clogging of the passageway 15 between said chambers. It further prevents the toothpicks from being turned and aids in piling the same properly against the partition 16.

The pusher block 21 receives a toothpick from the pile in chamber D and by its shape .and size prevents turning of the same while being moved for delivery to the chute 28.

Theinvention has been entitled Toothpick dispensing device and has been described in connection with such device, however it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to a toothpick dispensing device per se but that it may be readily adapted to dispense single articles of merchandise of various and different kinds in which event the mechanism would be adapted to conform to the size, shape and kind of merchandise dispensed. This invention therefore is to be considered in connection with merchandise dispensing devices in general. While I have described more or less precisely the details of construction of my invention, yet I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I am aware that changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts and that equivalents may be substituted, all without dcparting from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as m invention:

1. Toothpic dispensing apparatus comprising a casing, said casing having a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber therein, a Wall having a restricted passage between said chambers, a slide 0 erable through said passage for moving a imited quantity of toothpicks from the main chamber to the auxiliary chamber, a discharge chute adjacent said auxiliary chamber, means for delivering a toothpick from said auxiliary chamber to said chute, and means operable outwardly of said casing for actuating said slide and said last mentioned means.

2. A toothpick dispensing apparatus comprising a casing, said casing havin a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber t erein, 8.

wall between said chambers having a restricted passageway therethrough, said main chamber having a hinged portion for filling the same with toothpicks, a slide operable through said passage for moving a limited quantity of toothpicks from the main chamber to the auxiliary chamber through said passageway, a discharge chute adjacent said auxiliary chamber, a sliding block for delivering a toothpick from said auxiliary chamber to said chute, means operable outwardly of said casing for actuating said first and second mentioned means, said hinged portion of said main chamber serving as a closure for the same, and means for locking said'portion in closed position.

.3. A toothpick dispensing apparatus comprising a casing, said casing having a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber therein, a

partition between said chambers having a restricted opening, a slide movable through said opening, a discharge chute above the bottom of said auxiliary chamber, a pusher block for raising a limited quantity of toothpicks from said auxiliary chamber and delivering the same to said chute, connections between said pusher block and said slide, and means for actuating said pusher.

4. A toothpick dispensing apparatus comprising a casing, said casing containing a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a floor common to both chambers, a partition separating said chamber, said partition terminating above said floor forming a passageway therethrough, a slide on said floor arranged to reciprocate in said passageway for moving toothpicks from the main chamber to the auxiliary chamber, an inclined wall for said auxiliary chamber, a discharge chute adjacent said wall on the side opposite said chamber, a block slidable against said wall for delivering a toothpick to Said chute, means for actuating said block, and means connecting said slide with said block for reciprocating said slide as said block is moved.

5. A toothpick dispensing apparatus comprising acasing, said casing containing a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a floor common to both chambers, a partition separating said chambers, said partition terminating above said floor forming a passageway, a slide on said floor arranged to reciprocate in said passageway for moving toothpicks from the main chamber to the auxiliary .chamber, an inclined front wall for said auxiliary chamber, a discharge chute adj acent said wall on the opposite side thereof, a block slidable through said auxiliary chamber against said wall for delivering a toothpick to said chute, the upper end of said block being inclined towards said wall to form a pocket for a toothpick, means for actuating said block, and means connecting said slide to said block for reciprocating said slide as said block is moved.

outwardly of said casing for actuating said slide and said block, and means for returning said slide andblock to normal position.

7. A toothpick dispensing apparatus com prising a casing having an inclined top, an inclined floor within said casing between the bottom and top thereof, a downwardly extending transverse partition terminating above said floor forming a passageway, another partition extending upwardly from the bottom of said casing and above said floor and inclined rearwardly of the casing, a third partition parallel to the last mentioned partition and spaced rearwardly therefrom extendmg to and ]O1I11I1g said floor, a shde on said floor for moving toothpicks from the rear to the front of said first mentioned partition, a block slidable in the space between" said two last mentioned partitions, a chute inclined downwardly and outwardly from the inner top corner of said second mentioned partition, said block having an undercut upper face to form apocket in connection with said second mentioned partltion for receiving a toothpick therein, means for raising said block to discharge said toothpick, into i said chute, and means for actuating sald slide and said block, one of said means being operable outwardly of said casin 8. A toothpick dispensing apparatus comprising a casing, said casing containing a main chamber for receiving alarge supply of toothpicks, another chamber for receiving a limited supply of toothpicks from said first mentioned chamber, a floor common to both chambers, means movable on said floor for moving toothpicks from said main chamber to said second mentioned chamber, a discharge chute, means for moving a predetermined quantity of tooth picks from said second mentioned chamber and delivering the same to said chute, and means operable outwardly of said casing for actuating said above mentioned means.

9. A merchandise dispensing apparatus including in combination a casing, said casing arranged to contain a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a partition between said chambers having a restricted opening therein, a member movable through said opening, a discharge chute above the bottom of said auxiliary chamber, a pusher block for raising a limited quantity of articles from said auxiliary chamber and delivering the same to said chute, connections between said pusher block and said movable member, and means operable exteriorly of the casing and cooperatin with said connections for actuating sai pusher block and said slide.

10. A merchandise dispensing apparatus including a casing, a downwardly inclined floor within said casing, a transverse partition extending downwardly toward said floor and stopping short of the same, a slidemovable on said floor below said partition, a discharge chute adjacent the lower end of said floor and elevated above the floor, a pusher block movable between the lower end of said floor and said chute, connections between said block and said slide, and a lever cooperating with said connections for actuating said slide and block.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County, 

